National
'Sebokeng protests are over housing issues and not service delivery'─── DANE DANE 13:02 Wed, 05 Feb 2014
Dane Beisheim
Potchefstroom - The Mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality says that protest action by community members of Boiketlong in Sebokeng outside Vanderbijlpark has nothing to do with the provision of basic services.
Instead, Greta Hlongwane says it is related to housing development in the area, which falls under the Gauteng housing department.
Early this morning, protesters blockaded most of the roads leading in and out of Sebokeng. Spokesperson Klaas Mofomme says that they are monitoring the situation, but that there is not much that can be done regarding the matter from the municipality’s side.
"We don't have much that we can do to in order to address the housing situation. That's why we are saying community members of Boiketlong should try to be patient and allow the talks between the provincial department of housing and the owners of land earmarked for development....to continue" says Mofomme.
No arrests have been made thus far, and the situation remains tense. Residents are advised to make use of alternative routes.
